Townsend seeks vendors, volunteers for 2013 fair

Townsend officials are hoping to make this year’s parade and fair the biggest and best in the annual event’s eight year history.

By Scott Gossscott.goss@doverpost.com

Townsend officials are hoping to make this year’s parade and fair the biggest and best in the annual event’s eight year history.

So, they’re putting out the call for parade participants, vendors and volunteers a little earlier this time around than in years past.

“I want people to have such a good time – and for it to be so fantastic – that no one will ever want to miss it in the future,” said Councilwoman Lorraine Gorman, who is organizing the Sept. 28 extravaganza. “That’s why we’re starting our planning a little earlier this year and trying some things we’ve never tried before.”

In keeping with tradition, the parade will start from Townsend Fire Hall at 10 a.m. and head down Main Street on its way to Townsend Town Park in Townsend Village.

But Gorman says she’s hoping to make this year’s parade even bigger than before by seeking out as many floats, animals, fire companies, civic groups, bands and other participants as she can find.

“Everybody loves a parade and the bigger, the better,” she said. “We’ve seen things at parades and other events at neighboring towns, and they’ve given us suggestions on how to expand on our fair.”

The biggest changes are planned for the town fair, which kicks off in the park once the parade has arrived and runs until 3 p.m.

Gorman said the town is planning to add even more carnival games, contests and various demonstrations to the usual slate of craft and food vendors, inflatables and nonprofit booths.

“The goal is to get people to come throughout the day and keep them entertained,” she said. “Right now, it’s the only municipal event we have and we think it’s a great way for people in the community to come out and meet each other. Hopefully, it will be the highlight of the year for residents and attract lots of visitors to our town.”

To get there, Gorman says she is seeking out sponsors willing to donate money, goods or services to the event.

“We’ll take anything people care to give,” she said. “We’ve had people sponsor something specific, like the moon bounce, or just donate a couple cases of water. It all adds up and it’s a big help.”

Likewise, the town is seeking out vendors interested in setting up shop in the town park for the afternoon at a cost of $25 for a 10-foot-by-10-foot space.

Vendors will need to bring their own tables or tents and the deadline for signing up is Sept. 7, she said.

Perhaps most importantly, the town is looking for a minimum of about 20 volunteers willing to help direct traffic, assist vendors, man the carnival games and help out with other needed tasks.

“Volunteers make or break events like this, and we can’t be successful without them,” she said. “Even if you can’t work the entire day, we’d be happy to have anyone’s help even for an hour or two.”

Potential sponsors, vendors and volunteers are asked to email Gorman at lgorman@townsend.delaware.gov or call Town Clerk Cathy Beaver at (302) 378-8082.

All proceeds from the fair will be used to fund improvements at Townsend Town Park.